U.S. patent number 9,949,421 [Application Number 14/672,798] was granted by the patent office on 2018-04-24 for shark fin wear bar.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.. The grantee listed for this patent is Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc.. Invention is credited to William C. Maenle.
United States Patent |
9,949,421 |
Maenle |
April 24, 2018 |
Shark fin wear bar
Abstract
A shark fin wear bar includes a fin edge configured to till the
soil. The fin edge is positioned to face in the same direction as
the ripper point. The shark fin wear bar also includes a first part
configured to abut the rear of the ripper point such that debris
from tilling cannot get lodged between the two components.
Inventors: |
Maenle; William C. (Ottoville,
OH) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Unverferth Manufacturing Company, Inc. |
Kalida |
OH |
US |
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Assignee: |
Unverferth Manufacturing Company,
Inc. (Kalida, OH)
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Family
ID: |
54188433 |
Appl.
No.: |
14/672,798 |
Filed: |
March 30, 2015 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20150271984 A1 |
Oct 1, 2015 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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61973106 |
Mar 31, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01B
13/08 (20130101); A01B 15/025 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A01B
13/08 (20060101); A01B 15/02 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;172/699,700 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Will; Thomas B
Assistant Examiner: Mitchell; Joel F.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Rothwell, Figg, Ernst &
Manbeck, P.C.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/973,106, filed Mar. 31, 2014, the entire
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Claims
I claim:
1. An apparatus for tilling a field, comprising: a tillage machine
mounting member including a coupling member; a ripper point coupled
to the coupling member; and a shark fin wear bar positioned on a
portion of mounting member above the ripper point, wherein the
shark fin wear bar includes a fin to till a soil, wherein the
ripper point includes a fin and the shark fin wear bar fin includes
an edge positioned to extend upwardly from the ripper point fin,
and wherein the edge of the shark fin wear bar fin is a curved
edge, whereby an angle is formed by two curved portions meeting at
the center of the curved edge, wherein said angle is between 20
degrees and 30 degrees.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shark fin wear bar
includes a first part positioned adjacent a rear of the ripper
point fin.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first part of the shark
fin wear bar abuts the rear of the ripper point fin.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shark fin wear bar
includes a second end positioned to abut the tillage machine
mounting member.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a width of the tillage machine
mounting member is less than a width of the shark fin wear bar.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tillage mounting member is
a sub-soiler shank.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tillage mounting member
includes a slot to receive the shark fin wear bar.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tillage mounting member
includes a mounting bar.
9. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the shark fin wear bar
includes a rear slot to engage the mounting bar.
10. An apparatus for tilling a field, comprising: a tillage machine
mounting member including a coupling member; a ripper point coupled
to the coupling member; and a shark fin wear bar positioned on a
portion of mounting member above the ripper point, wherein the
shark fin wear bar includes a fin to till a soil, wherein the
ripper point includes a fin and the shark fin wear bar fin includes
an edge positioned to extend upwardly from the ripper point fin,
and wherein the edge of the shark fin wear bar fin is a curved
edge, whereby an angle is formed by two curved portions meeting at
the center of the curved edge, wherein said angle is approximately
27 degrees.
11. A tillage machine including a sub-soiler shank to till a soil,
the shank comprising: a mounting member having a lower end and an
edge extending upward from the lower end; a ripper point coupled to
the mounting member at the bottom end and extending from the
mounting member to a ripper end designed to make initial contact
with the soil, said ripper point further including a ripper fin
extending upwardly to an upward portion of the shank, wherein said
ripper fin makes a non-zero angle with said ripper end; and a shark
fin wear bar having a bottom, a forward edge extending from said
bottom into a fin edge extending upwardly from said forward edge
and terminating at a top end, said bottom coupled to the mounting
member at the mounting member edge, said forward edge coupled to a
rear of said ripper fin, and said top end coupled to said shank;
wherein said fin edge of said shark fin wear bar continues an
upward projection of said ripper fin, and wherein said fin edge of
said shark fin wear bar is a curved edge having a maximum height
relative to said bottom of said shark fin wear bar at a center of
said fin edge and wherein a height at the top end and a height at a
point where said fin edge extends from said forward edge, relative
to said bottom of said shark fin wear bar, are lower than said
maximum height, whereby an angle is formed by two curved portions
meeting at the center of the curved edge, wherein said angle is
between 20 degrees and 30 degrees.
12. The tillage machine of claim 11, wherein the ripper point fin
is trapezoid shaped.
13. The tillage machine of claim 11, wherein a length of said shark
fin wear bat is greater than a height of said shark fin wear
bar.
14. The tillage machine of claim 11, wherein the ripper point fin
includes straight edges.
15. The tillage machine of claim 11, wherein the ripper point fin
includes a hybrid of straight edges and curved edges.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system for tilling soil, and,
more specifically, to a wear bar with a raised center fin
configured to assist in the tilling of soil by a ripper point.
Description of the Related Art
In the agricultural industry, soil that is to be used for planting
may be tilled to improve the soil. Tilling may be done by agitating
the soil with a mechanical system or tool, such as rollers, harrows
or hand tools. The benefits of tilling include loosening and
aerating the soil, which makes it easier for the seed to be
planted, and spreading the nutrients in the soil such that it is
more evenly distributed within the soil to be used for planting.
Other benefits of tilling include mechanical destruction of weeds,
drying the soil, and exposure of soil crumble so that it may be
destroyed by the environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An apparatus for tilling soil including a shark fin wear bar
mounted on a sub-soiler shank. The shark fin wear bar includes a
fin edge to facilitate the tilling of soil. The shark fin wear bar
also includes a first end configured to match the profile of a
ripper point such that debris tilling does not become lodged in
between the wear bar and the ripper point.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, An apparatus
for tilling a field includes a tillage machine mounting member
including a coupling member and a ripper point coupled to the
coupling member. The apparatus also includes a wear bar positioned
on a portion of the mounting member above the ripper point. The
wear bar includes a fin to till a soil.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the
ripper point may include a fin, and the wear bar fin includes an
edge positioned to extend upwardly from the ripper point fin. The
wear bar may include a first part positioned adjacent a rear of the
ripper point fin. The first part of the wear bar may abut the rear
of the ripper point fin.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the wear
bar may include a second end positioned to abut the tillage machine
mounting member. A width of the tillage machine mounting member may
be less than a width of the wear bar.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, the
tillage mounting member may be a sub-soiler shank. The tillage
mounting member may include a slot to receive the wear bar fin. The
tillage mounting member may include a mounting bar and the wear bar
may include a rear slot to engage the mounting bar.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of ripper points with a fin
and wear bar without a fin mounted on a sub-soiler shank according
to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a shark fin wear bar and a
ripper point with a fin mounted on a sub-soiler shank according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a shark fin wear bar
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates a ripper point with a fin and a shark fin wear
bar mounted on a sub-soiler shank according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a perspective view of a ripper point with
a fin according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of a sub-soiler shank with a
shark fin wear bar and ripper point according to an embodiment of
the present invention.
FIGS. 8a-b illustrate views of a rear of the shark fin wear bar
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 9-12 illustrates schematic views of a shark fin wear bar
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrates schematic views of a fin edge
according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 13C
illustrates a schematic view of a ripper point fin according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
While the present invention may be embodied in many different
forms, a number of illustrative embodiments are described herein
with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be
considered as providing examples and not intended to limit the
invention to the preferred embodiments described and/or illustrated
herein.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the shark fin wear bar
includes a fin edge configured to till the soil. The fin edge is
positioned to face in the same direction as the ripper point. The
shark fin wear bar also includes a first part configured to abut
the rear of the ripper point such that debris from tilling cannot
get lodged between the two components.
FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a sub-soiler shank 100 with a
known ripper point 200, and a wear bar 400 without a fin. The
ripper point 200 and wear bar 400 are mounted on a mounting member
for the sub-soiler shank 100. As shown in greater detail in FIGS. 5
and 6, the ripper point 200 may include a ripper end 202, a nose
204 and a fin 206. The fin 206 includes a fin edge 208 and a rear
210. As can be seen in FIG. 1, there is a large gap between the
rear of the fin 210 and the wear bar 400. Residue and debris caused
by the tilling, such as rocks and pieces of roots, can get stuck in
this gap. A buildup of residue and debris in the gap will cause a
loss of machine efficiency because of added friction and the
operator will be forced to frequently stop tilling to remove the
lodged material.
FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a sub-soiler shank
including a wear bar with a raised center fin and a ripper point
according to an embodiment of the present invention. The sub-soiler
shank 100 includes a ripper point 200 and a wear bar 300. The
ripper point 200 is positioned at an end of the sub-soiler shank
100 and is configured to engage the soil during tilling. The ripper
point fin 206 extends upwardly towards the sub-soiler shank 100 and
wear bar 200.
FIG. 2 shows a shark fin wear bar 302 mounted to a sub-soiler shank
100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The shark
fin wear bar 302 protrudes from the sub-soiler shank 100 such that
it matches the profile of the rear 210 of the ripper point fin 206.
As can be seen in FIG. 3, the shark fin wear bar 302 includes a
first part 304 configured to match the profile of the rear 210 of
the ripper point fin 206. The first part 304 is preferably as close
as possible to the rear 210 of the ripper point fin 206 to prevent
residue and debris from becoming lodged in between the ripper point
and wear bar. In an embodiment of the present invention, the first
part 304 of the wear bar fin abuts the rear 210 of the ripper point
fin 206. The shark fin wear bar 302 includes a fin edge 306 which
extends upwardly from the first part of the wear bar fin 304 and is
designed to continue the upward projection of the ripper point edge
208. As shown in FIG. 2, there is a small gap between the ripper
point fin edge 208 and the wear bar fin edge 306. In another
embodiment of the present invention, the wear bar fin edge 306 may
abut the ripper point fin edge 208. The wear bar fin edge 306
terminates at a second end 308 of the ripper point edge 208
configured to abut the sub-soiler shank 100. The edges of the fin
edge 306 form an angle between 20 and 30 degrees (e.g., as shown in
FIG. 13A). Preferably, the edges of the fin edge 306 form an angle
of approximately 27 degrees (e.g., as shown in FIG. 13B). When the
shark fin wear bar 302 is cast, the edge of the fin edge 306 does
not come to a point, i.e., the edge is slightly blunt. After the
casting process, the fin edge 306 may be machined to sharpen it and
bring the edge to a point.
The shark fin wear bar 302 may be mounted to the sub-soiler shank
100 or the wear bar 200 via coupling members 310 engaging openings
312 in the shark fin wear bar fin 302. The coupling members 310 may
be spiral pins, bolts or any other known coupling member known in
the art. FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of a sub-soiler shank
100 and a shark fin wear bar 302. The shark fin wear bar 302 is
mounted to a shank bar 320 on the sub-soiler shank 100 which has a
plurality of openings 322. The coupling members 310 engage the
openings 312 in the shark fin wear bar 302 and the openings 322 in
the bar simultaneously to couple the shark fin wear bar 302 to the
sub-soiler shank 100. In another embodiment of the present
invention, the shark fin wear bar 302 may be configured to be
placed over a traditional wear bar, such as wear bar 400 shown in
FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a shark fin wear bar
according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in
FIG. 3, shark fin wear bar 302 includes wear bar fin 304, fin edge
306, ripper point 308, and openings 312. In embodiments, shark fin
bar 302 can be made of any type of material, such as a metal, a
hybrid of metals and plastics, or a plastic material. As shown in
FIG. 3, wear bar fin 304 is shaped so that it is at a greater width
at the bottom edge of 304 than at the top edge of 304 which
connects to fin edge 306. In embodiments, the front face of wear
bar fin 304 can be a trapezoid shape, a triangular shape, or an
irregular shape (e.g., a combination of two or shapes, such as
rectangular, triangles, and/or other shapes). In embodiments, wear
bar fin 304's surface is perpendicular to the sides of shark fin
wear bar 302.
As shown in FIG. 3, fin edge 306 extends from the top edge of wear
bar fin 304 to the top edge of ripper point edge 308. In
embodiments, fin edge 306 can be shaped as a curved edge as shown
in FIG. 3. In alternate embodiments, fin edge 306 can be shaped
with linear edges. In further embodiments, fin edge 306 can be
shaped with a combination of curved and linear portions.
In embodiments, ripper point edge 308 is a curved or non-curved
edge, whereby an angle is formed by two curved portions meeting at
the center of ripper point edge 308. In embodiments, openings 312
are in parallel to the sides of shark fin wear bar 302 and extend
through to both sides of the shark fin wear bar 302.
As such, the shape of shark fin wear bar 302 provides for a
combination of an increased vertical angle and a narrow front edge
which causes soil to flow laterally by the shank as the shank
passes through soil, dirt, or other material. This prevents the
dirt from lifting and causing excessive soil disturbance. Thus the
combination of shark fin wear bar 304 and a shark fin point, as
further described in FIG. 5, results in total lateral fracturing of
the soil. This prevents the dirt from being lifted and creating a
disturbance at the surface of the shark fin wear bar and the ripper
point as shown in FIG. 2. Accordingly, the improved soil finish is
helped by the use of a narrow profile shank used with this
particular point and wear bar combination.
FIG. 4 illustrates a ripper point with a fin and a shark fin wear
bar mounted on a sub-soiler shank according to an embodiment of the
present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, sub-soiler shank 100 is
attached to machine 400. In embodiments, machine 400 can be any
type of equipment used for tilling soil. As shown in FIG. 4,
sub-soiler shank 100 includes ripper point 200, wear bar 300, and
shark fin wear bar 302. In embodiments, a machine 400 with the
shark fin wear bar 302 and shark fin points to outperform a machine
400 without the shark fin wear bar 302 and ripper point 200. This
is because the shark fin wear bar 302 eliminates the buildup of
soil residue and field debris behind the shark fin points.
Accordingly, the shark fin wear bar 302 and shark fin points allow
machine 400 to work with greater efficiencies at higher working
speeds and, as such, reduce field time required to complete a
particular tillage task.
FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a perspective view of a ripper point 200
with a fin 206 according to another embodiment of the present
invention. As described in co-owned and U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/945,480, filed on Feb. 27, 2014, the entire
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, the
upright fin 206 serves as a divider to split the soil in front of
the shank and wear bar, thus giving additional lateral fracturing
as the shank moves through the soil. The lateral movement of the
soil around the upright fin 206 causes additional vertical
fracturing of the soil.
FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a ripper point with a fin
according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown
in FIG. 5, ripper point 200 includes edge 202, section 204, ripper
point fin 206, ripper point edge 308, and rear 210. In embodiments,
edge 202 is shaped with a straight edge. In alternate embodiments,
edge 202 is a combination of two sides that connect at an angle at
a center of edge 202. In further embodiments, edge 202 is curved in
shape. In embodiments, section 204 is located on the top part of
ripper point 200 and traverses from the front of ripper point 200
to edge 208. In embodiments, ripper point fin 206 is trapezoid
shaped with straight edges (e.g., as shown in FIG. 13C). In
alternate embodiments, ripper point fin 205 may be shaped by a
hybrid of straight edges and curved edges. As such, rear 210 can be
straight, curved, or a mixture of straight and curved lengths.
FIG. 6 illustrates another perspective view of a ripper point with
a fin according to embodiments of the present invention. As shown
in FIG. 6, ripper point 200 is shown from a view that shows
connector hole 212 and slot 214. In embodiments, connector hole 212
allow for ripper point 200 to connect to sub-soiler shank 100. In
embodiments, bolts, screws, and/or any other type of connector can
be used to connect ripper point 200 to sub-soiler shank 100. In
embodiments, slot 214 is used to attach ripper point 200 to
sub-soiler shank 100.
FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of a sub-soiler shank with a
shark fin wear bar and ripper point according to an embodiment of
the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, ripper point 200 and
shark fin wear bar 302 are connected to sub-soiler shank 100. In
embodiments connectors 310 are used in holes 312 to connect shark
fin wear bar to sub-soiler shank 100. As shown in FIG. 7,
connectors 310 then pass through holes 312 and connect to openings
322 on mounting member 320. Additionally, or alternatively, as
shown in FIG. 7, ripper point 200 can be connected to sub-soiler
shank 100 by using connector 310 through connector hole 212 or any
other hole in ripper point 200. In embodiments, connector 310 can
be any type of device or combination of devices that can connect
devices to sub-soiler shank 100.
FIGS. 8a-b illustrate the rear of the shark fin wear bar 302 which
engages the sub-soiler shank 100. The rear of the shark fin wear
bar 302 includes a slot 314 configured to match a shank bar 320
profile as shown in FIG. 7. The openings of the shark fin wear bar
312 extend through the slot 320 to both sides of the shark fin wear
bar 302.
The shark fin wear bar 302, shown in FIG. 8b, has a fin edge 306,
as previously described in FIG. 3, which is designed to vertically
fracture the soil as the shank travels through the ground. The
increased vertical fracturing is accomplished because of the
increased vertical angle and narrow front edge of the wear bar fin
306. The soil that is being tilled will flow laterally by the shank
because of the shark fin wear bar 302 design, and this prevents the
soil from lifting and causing excessive soil disturbance at the
surface. The shark fin wear bar 302 may be used with the ripper
point fin 206, and this combination will create total lateral
fracturing of the soil, which prevents the dirt from being lifted
and excessive disturbances being created at the surface. The
lateral fracturing of the soil by the shark fin wear bar 302
improves the finish of the soil in the tilled field and allows for
a faster speed of operation, which increases machine
efficiency.
The shark fin wear bar 302 may be manufactured as part of the wear
bar 300. In another embodiment, the shark fin wear bar 302 may be
manufactured as a separate component and mounted on the wear bar,
such as with bolts 310 configured to engage openings in the fin 312
and the wear bar 300. The shark fin wear bar 302 may be
manufactured by casting. The shark fin wear bar 302 may be composed
of any material that has enough wear resistance and strength to
last in adverse soil conditions. For example, the shark fin wear
bar 302 may be made of steel, hardened steel, steel alloy, ductile
iron, heat treated ductile iron, steeling forgings, heat treated
steel forgings, cast steel, heat treated cast steel and some
plastics.
FIG. 9 illustrates example views of shark fin wear bar 302 from a
top perspective view and a side perspective view. The side
perspective view shows portions 901, 902, 903, and 904. In
embodiments, portions 901, 902, 903, and 904 may be cast out of a
single mold or one or more of these portions may be separate parts
that are then connected to each other (e.g., soldering) to create
shark fin wear bar 302. As shown in FIG. 9, the bottom side of
portion 901 has a bottom length that is the combination of length
"B" and length "C." The length "B" can be any suitable value, such
as within a range of about 8 inches to 9.5 inches, e.g., about 8.5
inches. The length "C" can be any suitable value, such as within a
range of 1 inch to 2.5 inches, e.g., about 1.75 inches. Portion 901
has an upper length that has a length of "AA." Length "B" is the
distance from the back end of portion 901 to a point on portion 901
that is not beveled or chamfered. Length "C" is the length of the
beveled/chamfered portion of the bottom side of portion 901. As
shown in FIG. 9, portion 901 has a number of holes 907. Each hole
907 may be a distance of dimension "D" from another hole 907. Each
hole may be a 3/8 type hole or any other type of hole. The length
"D" can be any suitable value, such as within a range of 1 inch to
2.2 inches, e.g., about 1.9375 inches. The distance from the back
hole 907 to the front hole 907 is of a length "U." The length "U"
can be any suitable value, such as within a range of 7.5 inches to
7.8 inches, e.g., about 7.75 inches. Portion 901 has a height of
"E." The length "E" can be any suitable value, such as within a
range of 0.4 inches to 0.7 inch, e.g., about 0.53135 inches.
Furthermore, the back edge of portion 901 is angled such that the
one part of the back edge creates an angle "S" with the center of
back hole 907; and another part of the back edge has an angle "R"
with the center of back hole 907. The angle "R" can be any suitable
value, such as within a range of 25 degrees to 40 degrees, e.g.,
about 30 degrees. The angle "S" can be any suitable value, such as
within a range of 35 degrees to 49 degrees, e.g., about 39
degrees.
As shown in FIG. 9, portion 902 has a height of "Z" and its bottom
length is a dimension "AA" and has an upper length of a dimension
"BB." Also as shown in FIG. 9, portion 903 has a bottom length of
dimension "BB," and a curved shape for the upper length. In
embodiments, the curved shape of portion 903 may be the same shape
as the top curved length of portion 904. In embodiments, a height
of dimension "F" extends from the center of hole 907 to the front
edge of portion 903 which meets the bottom front edge of portion
904. The height "F" can be any suitable value, such as within a
range of 2.3 inches to 3.25 inches, e.g., about 2.34 inches.
As shown in FIG. 9, the side of shark fin wear bar 302 has length
of "I." The length "I" can be any suitable value, such as within a
range of 11 inches to 13 inches, e.g., about 12.375 inches. Portion
904 has a top front edge which is at a distance "H" from the bottom
front edge of portion 904. The length "H" can be any suitable
value, such as within a range of 1.2 inches to 1.5 inches, e.g.,
about 1.34 inches. The back edge of portion 904 is at a distance
"J" from the center of back hole 907. The length "J" can be any
suitable value, such as within a range of 2 inches to 3 inches,
e.g. about 2.5 inches. The top front edge of portion 904 is located
at a height "G" from the center of hole 907. The height "G" can be
any suitable value, such as within a range of 3.5 inches to 4.25
inches, e.g., about 3.94 inches.
In embodiments, the top curvature of portion 904 can be a
combination of different curves. In embodiments, portion 904 may be
combination of a curve "W" and a curve "X." The curve "W" can be
any suitable value, such as within a range of R 83/4 to R 91/2,
e.g., about R 91/4. The curve X'' can be any suitable value, such
as within a range of R 6 to R 7, e.g., about 61/2.
In embodiments, the combination of portions 901, 902, 903, and 904
result in a back edge that has an angle "A" which has a center that
is at a height "T" from the bottom part of the back edge of portion
901. The angle "A" can be any suitable value, such as within a
range of 80 degrees to 100 degrees, e.g., about 90 degrees. The
height "T" can be any suitable value, such as within a range of
1.25 inches to 1.75 inches, e.g., about 1.47 inches. Also, the
combination of portions 901, 902, 903, and 904 result in an angle
"BC" that is the angle created between the back top edge of portion
904 and the top part of the back edge of portion 901. The angle
"BC" can be any suitable value, such as within a range of 30
degrees to 45 degrees, e.g. about 39 degrees.
FIG. 9 also illustrates the top view of shark fin wear bar 302,
which has a width of dimension "CC" and a length of dimension "I."
The width "CC" can be any suitable length, such as within a range
of 1.25 inches to 1.75 inches, e.g., about 1.5 inches.
FIG. 10 illustrates a front face of shark fin wear bar 302, e.g.,
wear bar fin 304 as shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 10, the front
face has a height of "Q," a length of "N," a length of "O," and an
angle of "P." The height "Q" can be any suitable value, such as
within a range of 4.5 inches 5.25 inches, e.g., about 4.84 inches.
The length "N" can be any suitable value, such as within a range of
3 inches to 3.25 inches, e.g., about 3.1875 inches. The length "O"
is the height from the center of hole 907 to the bottom length of
portion 901. The length "O" can be any suitable value, such as
within a range of 0.3 inches to 0.5 inches, e.g., about 0.40
inches. The angle "P" can be any suitable value, such as within a
range of 35 degrees to 45 degrees, e.g., about 40 degrees.
FIG. 11 illustrates a cut out section of shark fin wear bar 302.
The cut-out section shows the interior of the shark fin wear bar
302 so as to show the slot that runs through the device. As shown
in FIG. 11, the cut-out section has a dimension "L" which is the
width of the slot; a dimension "K" which is the height of the top
of the slot to the bottom length of portion 901; and a dimension
"M" which is the height of the slot. The width "L" can be any
suitable value, such as within a range of 0.25 inches to 0.5
inches, e.g., about 0.4375 inches. The height "K" can be any
suitable value, such as within a range of 0.75 inches to 1 inch,
e.g., about 0.875 inches. The height "M" can be any suitable value,
such as within a range of 0.4 inches to 0.6 inches, e.g., about
0.5625 inches.
FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of the slot that runs across the
lower part of shark fin wear bar 302. The slot, also shown as
portion 906, has an upper length of "DD" and a lower length of
"EE." The height of the slot is described in FIG. 11. The length
"DD" can be any suitable value, such as within a range of 9 inches
to 10 inches, e.g., about 9.5 inches. The length "EE" can be any
suitable value, such as within a range of 10 inches to 10.5 inches,
e.g., about 10.3125 inches.
In embodiments, any value selected for one or more of the
dimensions in FIGS. 9-12 is selected such that each selected
value's relationship to each other selected dimensional value
provides for the shapes as shown in FIGS. 9-12.
From the above it will be appreciated that the wear bar fin of the
present invention includes a fin edge to assist in the vertical
fracturing of the soil during tilling and a first edge to fill in
the gap behind the ripper point fin. It will also be appreciated
that various changes can be made to the system without deviating
from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, the
sub-soiler shank may be made narrower to increase the efficiency of
the machine.
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